"Begin."
The bell rang.
Tian Shen moved first.
He didn't summon flame.
Instead—he drew his sword.
A clean, fluid motion. Quiet as breath. The blade gleamed, and for the first time in a public duel—Tian Shen stepped into the realm of Sword Intent.
Let's try it, he thought. Let's see where I stand.
Li Cheng's eyes narrowed slightly.
"You're not using your spirit flame?"
Tian Shen didn't reply. His feet shifted into a forward stance, body low, blade angled slightly downward—flowing like water.
The pressure changed.
Around Tian Shen, a beastial aura emerged.
Li Cheng smiled faintly.
"I see. So you've stepped into the path of the sword as well."
He lifted his own blade.
Then—they vanished.
A single clash echoed across the arena.
CLANG!
Sparks flew from the center of the platform.
Both reappeared, skidding away from one another.